Beloved Prophet... "God be with you 'til we meet again"

This is one of my favorite pictures of President Hinckley... The twinkle in his eye, his contagious smile... he glows pure happiness... He exemplifies what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints brings to the lives of people worlwide- Joy, peace, hope, and happiness! oh, how I love this man... I will miss Him...

Gordon B. Hinckley

June 1910- January 2008

"We’ll always remember what he told the press just outside of the White House after he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom about where the Church is going. He said, “I see an unbounded future. This work will spread across the earth. When you look at what’s happened thus far, you just have to realize that as we keep going it will grow exponentially and wherever it goes it will touch for good the lives of people across this whole broad world.”
It was an echo of his sentiments when he first became the prophet. “I do not know why in His grand scheme one such as I would find a place. But having this mantle to come upon me I rededicate whatever I have of strength or time or talent or life to the work of my Master in the service of my brethren and sisters.
“This Church does not belong to its President. Its head is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name each of us has taken upon ourselves. We are all in this great endeavor together. We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’” (Moses 1:39).
He said, “The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the season to be strong. It is time to move forward without hesitation.”
And so we will, with the memory of President Hinckley’s drive, vision and twinkle to warm us. If we had a handkerchief we’d wave it. “God be with you, President Hinckley, ‘til we meet again.”

this is taken from one of the many articles written by Scot and Maurine Proctor. Click on any of the links below for pictures of the Prophet, tributes, and amazing stories

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080129bewithyou.html

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080129cane.html

http://www.ldsmag.com/photoessay/060331Hinckley.html

I had to add this picture! The amazing woman who supported him and always stood at his side! I loved to hear her soft chuckle!- what a pair... We were all blessed to witnessed a love such as their's! President Hinckley's Beloved wife Marjorie... I love her...how could you not love her? Just look at her! What a reunion it must have been...

Testimony of President Gordon B. Hinckley

"I hope that all of you will remember that on this Sabbath day you heard me bear my witness that this is God's holy work. The vision given the Prophet Joseph in the grove of Palmyra was not an imaginary thing. It was real. It occurred in the broad light of day. Both the Father and the Son spoke to the boy. He saw Them standing in the air above him. He heard Their voices. He gave heed to Their instruction.
"It was the resurrected Lord who was introduced by His Father, the great God of the universe. For the first time in recorded history, both the Father and the Son appeared together to part the curtains and open this, the last and final dispensation, the dispensation of the fullness of times.
"The Book of Mormon is all that it purports to be—a work recorded by prophets who lived anciently and whose words have come forth "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations" (Book of Mormon title page).
"The priesthood has been restored under the hands of John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John. All the keys and authority pertaining to eternal life are exercised in this Church.
"Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, the great Prophet of this dispensation. This Church, which carries the name of the Redeemer, is true.
"I leave you my testimony, my witness, and my love for each of you,

in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
President Gordon B. HinckleyApril 1, 2006, Sunday morning session of the 176th Annual World General Conference

Tender Mercies, blessings, and a little miracle from China...

On Saturday we went to the SLC airport, along with most of my mom's siblings and parents to welcome the newest member of our extended family HOME! Here's a little backgroud...My mom's sister Tammy and her husband Mike had three children together but didn't feel like their family was complete. After lots of prayers, research, and waiting they welcomed Mia their little gilrl that they adopted from Korea! That was about three years ago. At our Thanksgiving dinner Tammy and Mike announced that they would be traveling to China to adopt another little girl just after Christmas! They showed us photos and a whole book of information about her. We were all so happy for them! Mike and Tammy are the most generous people I know and Tammy is one of the sweetest most selfless mom's ever! We knew that this little girl was so blessed to belong to them! They were so happy and excited to share their news and to bring Fu Khang Li home. My uncle Mike and his two oldest boys along with my other uncle Jason (who would be acting as Chaperone to the boys) traveled to China just after Christmas to meet little "khang khang" or Kai-li which is her American name. After almost 2 weeks in China the adoption was finalized and they came home Saturday. Kai-li is two years old and has been living with foster parents in China, who loved her very much! She speaks mandarin chinese and is a typical little girl. When we met her at the airport I was so surprised at how loving and sweet she was with all of us- who she didn't even know or understand. She opened her arms to everyone to hold her and she was even giving kisses! She is absolutely beautiful and although she has had some rough changes in her little life -she seems so happy!

Tristin (the big sister!) and Evan and Eli meeting Kai-li at the airport

Tammy greeting her baby Kai-li... and yes Mike's eyes are closed (couldn't be the fault of the photographer!) I wouldn't be surprised if he was really dozing... after lots of long nights in China, time adjustments and a 13 hour flight with a confused two year old- that says it all...

What a special day!!

Tammy (far right) is holding Kai-li with her big sister Mia in the middle! Lachlan (on the left) is my mom's brother Jeff's little girl who they adopted from China a year ago. What lucky girls to belong such great families and to have each other to grow up with!

Mia giving "her baby" a kiss

...Well we all parted ways and were anxious to hear about the new adventures that lay ahead for their family. Little did we know that there would be a giant adventure or should I say challenge just that next day...

Kai-li had a really rough night and at some point after using the bathroom the toilet was full of blood. Tammy and Mike were very concerned and thought maybe she had a kidney infection. So they took her to the hospital in Logan. They ruled out a kidney infection and realized that the blood was from her colon! After waiting for test results and what probably seemed like TOO LONG the decision was made to life flight her to Primary Childrens Medical Center for what they were calling a collapsed colon which is extremely painful, dangerous and life threatening. In order to get a flight team ready it was going to take longer than they thought she could wait so the medical staff decided it would be fasted to get her there in an ambulance with it's lights and siren's on. So she traveled the hour and a half distance to Primary Children's Medical Center and was rushed into surgery. After preforming the operation the doctor said the official diagnosis is called intussusception. There is no cause in children and it is something that can just happen! It is where the small intestine collapses into the large intestine causing a blockage. The tissue then begins to die and they say if it is not immediatley treated the person may only live as long as four days. and suffer lots of complications the longer it is untreated. The doctors also said that if she would have still been in China that they most likely would not have found a doctor in time who could have helped her. If she would have had these symptoms just a day earlier or even as they were traveling it would have changed the entire circumstance. So... some may call it luck or a coincidence that this presented within 24 hours of her arrival to the United States. But it's not hard for our family to see that it was a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father who was watching out for her and her family. The doctor removed 16 inches of her small intestine during surgery. It was successful and they are now watching her closely for any signs of complications. She will most likely be in the hospital recovering for a couple of weeks. Mike found out that one of the flight nurses at the hospital speaks mandarin chinese so she has been visiting and trying to comfort Kai-li. For being just two years old- she is very smart and fluent in Mandarin She even sings lots of little songs! We pray that she will adjust well, recover quickly and stay healthy and happy! She couldn't be in a better situation -surrounded by a family who loves and adores her! She is a lucky little girl!-It is a miracle and blessing how it all worked out and that she is recovering well!

We love you Tullis family you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Waiting for Christmas!

Our Family

My Handsome Boys!!!

We did a lot of fun things while waiting for Christmas in Logan at my parents house...
It really was fun to have the boys out of school for the holidays! They had so much fun "veggin" ("laying around like vegetables"~as Evan calls it!) in their jammies until noon playing together and especially with Gabe. Gabe is always happy if he's moving around with lots to look at. So they decided to put him in grandma's doll stroller and push him around the house! They palyed lots of games together with Gabe in the stoller... "Chase Eli" and "hide and seek" were the favorites!!! Whenever they would stop for too long Gabe would start yelling in protest... and off they'd go again- He may be the smallest but HE knows he is in charge around here!!

The boys are usually only allowed to play video games on Friday and Saturday after their chores are done, but since it was the holiday we made an acception and they played... A LOT!! which allowed for me and my mom to get lots of things done... It was a pretty nice arrangement if you ask me! Now that the holidays are over its back to the old rules and I must admit some days I'm kinda tempted... but know in the long run... we're all better off when it's limited!!

A few days before Christmas, my mom reserved a room in her church house and invited ALL the kids in the family to come and decorate gingerbread houses!! They arrived after school and we had a little snack of peanut butter sandwiches, carrots and clementines. Everyone brought candy to share for the houses and we sat around listening to Christmas music and decorating. While we were inside the church a huge blizzard was brewing outside. We were all so EXCITED because up until then, there was NO snow in Logan... Christmas was coming and now we had the SNOW which really adds to the magic of the holiday!!




The next day... the boys played out in the snow for hours with my little cousins Jonah and Nathan, who live just across the field from my mom's house!

Christmas is coming!!!!

A Perfect Day!

We traveled to Logan a little early in the month for the wonderful occasion of my cousin Rebecca'a Wedding! I LOVE weddings...who doesn't?? It was just one of those perfect days and we were so happy to be able to share in it with lots of our family! I remember when Becca was born- She was the first baby in a long time in our family and she came at just the time in my life when babies were the greatest! She was our stand in as a little sister. We sure love Becca and are so happy for the new adventures that lay ahead for her and Kent!! Congratulations!!

Rebecca and Evan after the dinner at Hamilton's

Off to a Honeymoon in Paris!!....

Grandpa and Gabriel...

Gabe thinks my dad is the greatest!! I can't agree more... Grandpa drops everything when we are around! He lays on the floor and helps Gabe figure out how his toys work. He encourages and cheers for each new milestone! He turns on loud music and dances- all his grandkids have great rhythm!! He carries Gabe around all day talking to him and showing him things. Towards the end of the wedding day Gabe was getting a little tired and fussy and guess who stepped in to console him... yup... grandpa! He is the greatest!!